History

Generation 1

Origins

BIONICLE was first conceptualized by the LEGO company in the late 1990s, in an attempt to invoke the market for story themes without the restrictive royalties encountered by the successful LEGO Star Wars theme. BIONICLE followed in the footsteps of two previous themes in LEGO's TECHNIC line, Slizer (marketed in the United States as "Throwbots") and RoboRiders. The two previous themes both relied on environment-themed buildable figures with action features, plastic storage containers, collectible parts, and competitive role-play functions. Slizer in particular had been designed around the same ball-and-socket-joint structure that would be definitive of BIONICLE set designs throughout the new theme's lifespan. RoboRiders foreshadowed the multimedia aspect of BIONICLE with its good-versus-evil storyline (in which the vehicle-like figures fought a menacing virus) and its tie-in online game, unlocked with codes on the storage canisters. Both themes included "combo models" which could be built by combining the parts and building instructions of multiple sets, foreshadowing fusions and other combo models that would be introduced in BIONICLE.

Early concept art of BIONICLE

In 1999, as The LEGO Company became aware of the appeal story-based themes had with a critical preteen demographic, they approached Bob Thompson to assist in developing story-based product themes. Martin Riber Andersen, a LEGO design manager, suggested building on concepts used for the Slizer theme in designing a new action-figure theme. The advertising agency ADVANCE, of whom LEGO was a client, took the role of creative lead for the new theme, and their Creative Director Christian Faber proposed the tropical setting which would set the stage for the environments and naming conventions of BIONICLE's early years. Erik Kramer, a LEGO Technic director, expressed a desire to design the new theme as though it were a film.[citation needed]

An early concept of the line was at one point known as "Bone-Heads of Voodoo Island", reflecting the tribal setting and mysticism. However, the development team (Thompson, Anderson, Faber, Kramer, and ten others[citation needed]) eventually came up with the name "Biological Chronicle" or BIONICLE during a meeting and the domain name BIONICLE.com was quickly registered. Writer Alastair Swinnerton of the company Skryptonite was commissioned to write the original "story bible" which would lay out the frameworks of the story the theme would follow. Christoffer Raundahl was one of the set designers responsible for the 2001 release of the first BIONICLE sets, which included the tentatively-named figures Axe, Blade, Flame, Kick, Hook and Claw.

2001

BIONICLE sets were first released in Europe at the beginning of the year, and were released in the United States in the summer. The first line of sets established the pattern that future years would typically follow: six mid-size sets (the Toa Mata, then known simply as the Toa) packaged in canisters, six small boxed sets (the Turaga), and an array of large boxed sets (the Rahi). In a promotion at McDonald's restaurants in September, six Matoran villager sets (then called "Tohunga") were released as toys in McDonald's Happy Meals.

The original BIONICLE logo

Each set included action features that allowed for competitive play, in which the objective was to remove the opposing figure's mask. Sold alongside sets were Kanohi packs, each containing two collectible Kanohi masks and the pieces needed to build a head and attach it to the canister lids for display. Collecting all seventy-two Kanohi was emphasized heavily in sets and story for that year.

The use of TECHNIC building techniques made the sets compatible with each other as well as more conventional LEGO themes. Sets also contained instructions for alternate models that could be built from the parts of one or more sets. BIONICLE was toy of the year at London's ToyFair in its introductory year.[1]

With a heavy multimedia focus, BIONICLE's first year introduced a Comic book series, which related the adventures of the characters as they tried to collect the Kanohi masks and defeat the mysterious corruption plaguing the island of Mata Nui and turning its wildlife against the villagers. The first year of comics ran for three issues, leaving off at the climactic battle against the evil Makuta. An online game created by Templar Studios, the Mata Nui Online Game, showed these adventures from a different perspective, following the amnesiac Matoran Takua as he journeyed throughout the island encountering the Toa at various points, eventually witnessing the fight against Makuta. The game itself is a direct sequel to a GameBoy Advance Video Game, Tales of the Tohunga, which was released later in the year and followed Takua on a quest to summon the Toa to the island.

The Toa Mata in set form

In most regions, the Toa canisters came packaged with interactive CDs, which included various multimedia, such as commercials, animations, and interactive learning tools.

The story concluded with the defeat of Makuta and the restoration of peace to the island. However, teased throughout the Mata Nui Online Game, Takua witnessed the rise of a new enemy - one that came in a swarm.

Maori Controversy

In May 2001, before the official North American launch of BIONICLE, The LEGO Company received a legal challenge from representatives of the Māori people, alleging that their use of certain words were disrespectful to Māori culture.[2] LEGO ultimately acknowledged that they had utilized words and terms from the Māori language, and agreed to change several of them in future usage, as well as begin developing a code of conduct that would avoid similar mistakes in the future.[3][4] The term "Tohunga", referring to the island villagers, was replaced with "Matoran", and several other character names were altered.

Multiple in-universe explanations were created to explain the changes, though they have since lost most applicability. At the time of the change, The LEGO Group initially stated that the Tohunga changed their species name after realizing they were all one people. However, this explanation was only relevant at the time, and has been completely dropped from continuity, along with the name itself. The characters who had to be given new names were done so under the explanation of Naming Day, wherein characters receive new names for acts of valor; while the concept of Naming Day still exists in the story, any materials set in a time period prior to the change still refer to the characters by their new names.

2002

After the success of BIONICLE's initial year, BIONICLE continued with the Toa and Matoran as its protagonists. However, the first series of canister-set villains was introduced: the Bohrok. Along with the Bohrok's release came the new small sets, the Bohrok Va drones, and the new collectibles, the rubbery Krana. Krana packs included three Krana and two great Kanohi in gold or silver. A total of ninety-six Krana (eight for each Bohrok or Bohrok Va breed) and twelve metallic Kanohi were available.

Bohrok had various functions that were tied to their story role. They could roll into a spherical shape, and while rolled up they could hang from their canisters' lids to be displayed in a makeshift "hive". Their gear function allowed them to snap their heads forward at the press of a lever. Lastly, pressing their eyes would open their faceplate and fling the Krana "brains" at opponents.

The various multimedia continued into 2002; the comics continued to be included in the LEGO magazines, and picked up after the end of the Mata Nui Online Game, detailing the Toa's conflicts with the Bohrok. Several promotional comics also appeared, released through McDonald's. A series of online animations, similar to the Mata Nui Online Game, was released on the BIONICLE website, depicting adventures not seen in the comics, from the perspective of the Matoran characters.

Tahnok hordes

The arrival of summer brought the year's large sets, as well as a second series of canister sets (from 2002 onward a new series of canister sets would be released semiannually). The large sets depicted the Bahrag, beastly twin queens who commanded the Bohrok swarms; the Exo-Toa, a powered suit of armor which a Toa could wear; and the Boxor, a robotic war machine piloted by the Matoran Nuparu. The new canister sets depicted the Toa Nuva, transformed versions of the Toa Mata with new armor, masks, and tools. The Toa Nuva's new masks, or Kanohi Nuva, could be collected with a new pack containing two of the thirty-six Kanohi Nuva and three Krana.

Beginning in 2002, BIONICLE was The LEGO Company's (later The LEGO Group's) most successful product theme. This is a trend which would continue through 2005.[citation needed]

2003

Winter 2003

The year 2003 began with the release of the Bohrok-Kal, new canister sets depicting upgraded Bohrok with new powers; unlike the Bohrok from before, the Kal were individual entities, rather than a swarm. Their goal was to release the Bahrag from the seal the Toa Nuva previously placed them in, and once more unleash the Bohrok swarms.

Tahu Nuva battling the Bohrok-Kal

Each Kal came with a new collectible, the metallic-colored Krana-Kal. However, in addition to the standard 48 varieties, 5,000 rare White Metal Krana-Kal and 72 Sterling Silver Krana-Kal were placed in random canisters. Each White Metal and Sterling Silver Krana-Kal was in the shape of the Xa-Kal and came with a black velvet bag and a proof of authenticity card, with Sterling Silver Krana-Kal cards indicating a specific number the person had obtained. Krana-Kal packs were also available, containing three Krana-Kal and two Kanohi Nuva. The Kanohi Nuva in these packs also had a chance of appearing in silver, bringing the possible output of these packs to forty-eight Krana-Kal or forty-two Kanohi Nuva.

A sequel to the previous year's Bohrok Online Animations was released, in the form of the Bohrok-Kal Online Animations, also created by Templar Studios.

The Bohrok eventually saw their defeat at the hands of the Toa Nuva, though this only marked the halfway point of the year; the continuing comic series revealed the the villainous Makuta had returned, ready to unleash a new form of darkness on the island.

Summer 2003

With the advent of summer came the release of the year's small sets and second series of canister sets for 2003. The small sets depicted the six Matoran of the Ga-Koro, Ko-Koro, and Po-KoroKolhii teams. These Matoran were larger than those of previous years, having been "rebuilt" in story.

These Matoran characters featured heavily in the Mata Nui Online Game II, a sequel to the acclaimed original, made by Templar Studios. The game was released in episodic chapters over the course of the latter half of the year, after an initial release in June.

The canister sets, rather than another series of hero sets, depicted six fearsome villains: the Rahkshi, or "Sons of Makuta". The Rahkshi were the most articulate sets to date, and housed inside them the new Kraata collectible. Kraata could also be purchased in packs containing three Kraata and two promotional stickers. The Kraata packs were sold in plastic containers similar to those of the canister sets, representing the Stasis Tubes used by the Turaga to imprison the Kraata. Forty-two (later forty-three) colors and six stages of Kraata were available, bringing the total number to 258 once the Rahkshi sets were rereleased for Target stores with purple "Shadow Kraata".

The Rahkshi's mission - to stop the Matoran from finding the new Toa of Light - foreshadowed the large sets for the year and the first BIONICLE movie, BIONICLE: Mask of Light. One set depicted Takua, the Matoran protagonist of the new film on his Ussal crab, Pewku. Another set contained the Matoran Jaller, Herald of the Seventh Toa and Takua's co-star, on a Gukko bird. The Makuta set depicted BIONICLE's main antagonist from day one, and the Takanuva set depicted the Seventh Toa himself on his vehicle, the Ussanui.

The end of the movie revealed hitherto unknown origins for the population of Mata Nui; they originally came from the futuristic island of Metru Nui. The final comic of the 2003 series (which had previously left off before the final battle against Makuta, to promote the movie) additionally ended in a shocking revelation that the Toa, which the storyline had followed for the past three years, were not actually the first of their kind.

A more simplified title logo used in later years

2004

In 2004, BIONICLE was for the first time established as a separate line from its previous category, LEGO TECHNIC. This year began a series of flashbacks told by the Turaga, telling of their past adventures and the history of Metru Nui, an ancient island-city revealed at the end of 2003's story.
The sets of 2004 were released differently in the United States and European markets, in that the United States' winter canister sets, the Toa Metru, were Europe's summer canister sets, and vice-versa.
The Toa Metru, in fact past forms of the Turaga, implemented a new build that improved on the articulation of the Rahkshi sets, in addition to their new mask and tool designs. New Matoran sets were also released worldwide, wielding Disk Launchers that fired the year's new collectible, the Kanoka disks. These six Matoran represented characters who had found the locations of the Great Disks, artifacts which the Toa Metru needed to defeat the Morbuzakh that terrorized the city. The Toa Metru were depicted in the story as novice heroes who had to skirt the rigid laws enforced by the Vahki and maintain the trust of their Matoran companions (of whom one was in fact a traitor).
Also available in early 2004 were Kanoka packs, each containing two Kanoka and a Disk Launcher. Kanoka disks were decorated with six different patterns and an assortment of three-number codes which unlocked online content at the Kanoka Club and revealed the powers of the Kanoka in story.

After the defeat of the Morbuzakh, the Toa Metru brought the Great Kanoka to the Coliseum, Metru Nui's cultural and political center, expecting to be hailed as heroes. Instead, they were denounced as false Toa by Turaga Dume, the city's leader, and acquired a reputation as dangerous criminals.
The Vahki canister sets depicted the massive police force which the Toa Metru now found themselves against. Vahki sets wielded large staffs, and could be switched between a quick-moving four-legged stance and a two-legged stance. Their mandibles also doubled as a Disk Launcher, for which each set included a Kanoka disk. Vahki sets later in the year included a Disk of Time and Kanohi Vahi, which were two primary plot elements of the 2004 film BIONICLE 2: Legends of Metru Nui.

The Toa Metru in set form

Five large boxed sets appeared that year. Two of these, Nidhiki and Krekka, were mysterious beings called Dark Hunters who opposed the Toa Metru and who had been responsible for the perils of the six Matoran released earlier in the year. A third depicted Turaga Dume and his Rahi scout, Nivawk. The fourth was the "Ultimate Dume" set, a combination model which contained the parts and instructions of the previous three large sets as well as a special Kanohi Kraahkan. The last depicted Toa Lhikan, predecessor to the Toa Metru, and the Rahi steed Kikanalo. The latter two were both exclusive to Toys "R" Us retail stores.
2004's conclusion left most of the Matoran of Metru Nui in the ruined city while the Toa Metru fled to the island of Mata Nui, vowing to return, which sets up the next year's story.

2005

In 2005 the Toa Metru returned to Metru Nui to rescue the remaining Matoran, but found that the city had changed dramatically since their departure. Like the previous year, the canister sets had varying release dates: the Toa Hordika had an early release for the United States and a summer release for European markets, while the release dates were reversed for the Visorak.
The half-Rahi Toa Hordika sets represented the Toa Metru after mutation by the venom of the Visorak, the new villains. Toa Hordika each came with two silver Rhotuka spinners and a built-in Rhotuka Launcher that gave the spinners flight. Every set which included Rhotuka included one with a printed code, much like the Kanoka codes but longer and without story relevance. The codes would only work if used in conjunction with the prefix on the corresponding set's packaging. The Rhotuka pack, for example, included four Rhotuka of a two-color blend and one silver one with a code.

The smaller Rahaga sets, released in early 2005 worldwide, each contained one colored Rhotuka spinner. The Rahaga represented mysterious Rahkshi-like guides who had experience dealing with the Visorak.

The Visorak canister sets were four-legged arachnoid Rahi with snapping jaws and Rhotuka Launchers on their backs. Each included two silver Rhotuka spinners. Two additional canister sets appeared in the summer, representing Rahaga Norik and Iruini in their former Toa Hagah forms. Each had metallic armor and a Rhotuka Launching Shield that held their two Rhotuka (one metallic and one in their elemental color).

The large sets, with a universal summer release, depicted the Visorak viceroy and queen-to-be Roodaka, the Visorak king Sidorak, and the legendary Rahi Keetongu, rumored to have the power to cure mutation by Visorak venom. Each large set included one Rhotuka, silver in Roodaka and Sidorak and red in Keetongu. A special combination model, Voporak, was released as a Target-exclusive set which included the parts of all three large sets.

The Visorak in set form

2005 also introduced the concept of BIONICLE playsets: BIONICLE sets based on traditional LEGO System bricks rather than TECHNIC, depicting large battle scenes with multiple characters. These sets included Battle of Metru Nui, Visorak Battle Ram, Tower of Toa, and the non-canon Visorak's Gate. Six different mini-Visorak and six Toa Hordika minifigures with special combat staves were released for these sets. Two different golden Kahgarak spiders also appeared in the Tower of Toa and Battle of Metru Nui sets.

The main plot of 2005 was revealed through BIONICLE 3: Web of Shadows, with various smaller plotlines revealed through books, comics, and web content.

2006

The story behind 2006's sets began with a revelation: the Great Spirit was not only asleep, but also dying. His rescue depended on the legendary Kanohi Ignika, the Mask of Life, but the Toa Nuva were unprepared to face six new competitors for this valuable artifact: the Piraka.

The Piraka canister sets had numerous functions. Their eyes glowed red with a built-in LED, their teeth were phosphorescent, and their dual-function tools could be flipped to either of two positions. The Piraka also carried Zamor Launchers, which fired the collectible Zamor Spheres. The Piraka canister lids included a "Try Me" feature demonstrating the glowing eyes with a replica of the set's face. 2006 also began a trend in which a Kanoka code would appear in full on each set's packaging.

A Zamor Sphere pack was released in 2006, featuring ten Zamor in swirled silver, dark silver, and gold colors. The color of the Zamor Spheres was inherent to their collectibility, and most Zamors appeared as two-color blends of varying ratios.

The Piraka were depicted as oppressors of Voya Nui's Matoran, of whom six resistance fighters were the year's small sets. The new Matoran builds were the most varied of any small sets released at that point. The winter 2006 sets were the last sets which included instructions for alternate models, besides two 2006 large sets which were themselves combined from the parts of other sets. Alternate models would, however, be released on BIONICLE.com and in LEGO Magazine in future years.

Between the winter and summer releases, three of the year's large sets sporadically debuted across the globe. Two of these were Axonn and Brutaka, titans with new masks, massive weapons, and a new piston-based support system for their legs. The third was Irnakk, a mythical being from the Piraka's native Skakdi culture. The Irnakk set was exclusive to Wal-Mart stores and contained the pieces and instructions for three Piraka (Vezok, Thok, and Reidak), in addition to instructions for the Irnakk model. The set also contained four golden tubing pieces and a golden face/spine piece akin to Thok's, all essential for the Irnakk model.

The Toa Inika in set form

When the Toa Nuva did not return, six well-known Matoran journeyed to Voya Nui to aid their heroes. These six Matoran would become the Toa Inika, heroes who appeared as the summer canister sets. The Toa Inika featured new rubbery Kanohi and new Toa Tools with colored strobe-lights spanning their centers. The sets were advertised to have glow-in-the-dark faces, although this feature was not present in the actual, finalized sets. The new masks slipped onto the smooth head pieces vertically, rather than attaching to the mouth with a stud or axle like previous masks. The Toa Inika sets each contained a Zamor Launcher with a cartridge to hold the set's four Zamors, which were colored similarly to the strobe function of each set's tool. Toa Inika canisters also a try-me function displaying the tools.

Three new large sets were released in the summer, depicting guardians of the Mask of Life. The Umbra set was released exclusively in Wal-Mart stores. He wielded a huge tool, the Laser Lance, which included two strobe-light Toa Inika tools and a Rhotuka Launcher that fired a green-and-silver Rhotuka spinner. The Vezon & Fenrakk set included Vezon, the insane wearer of the Mask of Life, and the spiderlike Fenrakk beast which he rode. Finally, the Vezon & Kardas set featured Vezon atop the Kardas Dragon, a new form given to Fenrakk by the Mask of Life. The Vezon & Kardas set was exclusive to Target stores and included the parts and instructions for the Axonn, Brutaka, and Vezon & Fenrakk sets, as well as the instructions for the combined model.

In 2006, the playset tradition was continued with the sets Piraka Stronghold, Piraka Outpost, Lava Chamber Gate, and the non-canon Race for the Mask of Life. In addition to the locations these sets depicted, they included a Nektann, two types of Fenrakk Spawn Spider, and twelve buildable Toa Inika and Piraka minifigures.

The story of 2006 ended with the Toa Inika successfully claiming the Mask of Life, but promptly losing it to the sea. They would pursue this mask in 2007's story.

2007

The Barraki in set form

The first series of canister sets in 2007 introduced the menacing Barraki. Once powerful warlords, 2007's story portrayed them as mutant inhabitants of the destroyed underwater prison called the Pit. They waged war on the Matoran of the underwater city of Mahri Nui, situated above their home, in hopes of claiming the Kanohi Ignika which had recently descended from the ocean's surface.

The Barraki sets wielded Squid Launchers and carried two yellow-orange Sea Squids. Sea Squids could be fired by fitting them into the launchers, pulling back on their stretchy tails, and releasing. Seven blue-green Sea Squids were available in a Squid Ammo pack. Because of these packs with differently-colored squids, Sea Squids are often considered the last true collectibles.

Four small sets (a deviation from the usual six) appeared in 2007, depicting the Matoran Defilak and Dekar and the Hydruka Morak and Thulox. All four carried Air Launchers, a reuse of the Zamor Launcher design which fired yellow-orange Solidified Air Bubbles (the Hydruka, being grazing Rahi, had the launchers incorporated into their anatomy).

Nocturn, a large boxed set exclusive to Wal-Mart stores, was also released in early 2007. This brutish lieutenant of Barraki Ehlek wielded a Squid Launcher of his own, and featured several glow-in-the-dark pieces much like the Barraki Takadox set.

The Toa Mahri in set form

In Summer 2007 the Toa Mahri canister sets were released, depicting aquatic forms of the Toa Inika granted to them by the Mask of Life. The Toa Mahri had new masks and tools, including the revolving Cordak Blasters which could hold and fire six of each set's several mini-rockets.

Three new adversaries for the Toa Mahri were released as large sets. The jailer Hydraxon, revived by the Kanohi Ignika, thought the Toa to be escaped Pit prisoners. His robotic servant Maxilos (secretly acting as a host for Makuta Teridax) and his Energy HoundSpinax were also packaged together as a set. These two sets both included Cordak Blasters. The massive Rahi Gadunka, enlarged by the Mask of Life from a minuscule form, also appeared as a set wielding a Squid Launcher.

BIONICLEstory.com was launched in 2007, hosting Online Games and serialized stories by author Greg Farshtey (author of the BIONICLE novels since 2003 and the comics since BIONICLE's launch). One of the stories, Dreams of Destruction concerned Lesovikk, who appeared as a Wal-Mart-exclusive set riding a Cordak-armed Sea Sled. Lesovikk found himself facing off against the insane ruler Karzahni to defend the Matoran Sarda and Idris. Those three came packaged as a set exclusive to Toys "R" Us stores, which also included an Underwater Trap constructed by the Matoran to defeat Karzahni.

The 2007 sets also included the last BIONICLE playsets: Barraki Deepsea Patrol, which contained a Spider Crab as its focus, Toa Undersea Attack, which included a Stinger Whale, and Toa Terrain Crawler, which came with an assortment of sea life. Various buildable Toa Mahri and Barraki minifigures were included in these sets, although unlike the minifigures of the previous year they no longer each had a unique head or mask piece.

2007's story had a conclusive ending. The Toa Mahri destroyed The Cord that connected Voya Nui to Mahri Nui, allowing Voya Nui to return to its original location inside the Matoran Universe. Meanwhile, Toa Mahri Matoro fulfilled his destiny as bearer of the Mask of Life by traveling to Karda Nui through the hole Voya Nui would seal, donning the mask, and allowing his life to be sacrificed for Mata Nui's revival.

2008

The Phantoka

In 2008 the focus of the story returned to the Toa Nuva, who had last been seen in the story serials of 2007 performing tasks to prepare for Mata Nui's awakening. Given new Adaptive Armor and masks by Artakha, they were transported to Karda Nui for the final battle to awaken Mata Nui. Their opponents in this battle were the Makuta, the same shape-shifting entities that had cast Mata Nui into his slumber. Both the good and evil factions in this battle were separated into two groups: Phantoka and Mistika.

Early 2008 featured twelve sets under the name Phantoka, who fought in the skies of Karda Nui. Three of the Phantoka canister sets were Toa Nuva, who wielded Midak Skyblasters, while three were Makuta wielding Tridax Pods filled with Shadow Leeches. The Toa Nuva were aided by the Av-Matoran, who dwelt in Karda Nui, while the Makuta were helped by Shadow Matoran, which they created by draining the light from regular Matoran using Shadow Leeches. Together, the three Av-Matoran and three Shadow Matoran acted as the year's small sets, and were able to attach to the backs of the canister-sized sets.

Also at the Toa Nuva's side was Toa Ignika, a being with a body created and controlled by the Mask of Life, who appeared as a large boxed set on his Skyboard. The Makuta were aided by Makuta Icarax, who led the Brotherhood of Makuta in Makuta Teridax's absence, and Makuta Mutran, who with his Shadow Matoran lab assistant Vican created the Shadow Leeches. The Icarax set was exclusive to Toys "R" Us stores, while the Mutran & Vican set was exclusive to Wal-Mart retailers.

The Mistika canister sets of summer 2008 likewise included three Toa Nuva and three Makuta. Both factions of the Mistika wielded Nynrah Ghost Blasters, air-powered projectile weapons whose story functions varied between the two teams. The Mistika sought to find and keep the Keystone fragments hidden in the swamps of Karda Nui. The Mistika Toa Nuva were aided by Takanuva, who had journeyed across several dimensions to come to their aid.

Once the Phantoka and Mistika teams had reunited, the united Toa Nuva used the Keystone fragments they had collected to unlock the Codrex, a place of great mystery and power. The three vehicles Rockoh T3, Jetrax T6, and Axalara T9 were found here and claimed by the Phantoka Toa Nuva. However, Makuta Antroz pursued them and stole the Jetrax T6, leading to a high-speed chase and dogfight using the powerful vehicles.

The large sets for the summer included the three Codrex vehicles with pilots, Takanuva in a partially light-drained and enlarged form, and two characters from the year's story serials, Mazeka and Vultraz. The Mazeka and Vultraz sets each came with the Matoran character named as well as a powerfully-armed vehicle. The Mazeka set was exclusive to Wal-Mart stores.

2008 had a dynamic conclusion, in which Mata Nui's body was successfully awakened by Toa Ignika. However, Makuta Teridax had planned for this, and had overridden the mind of the massive robot body (in fact containing the entirety of the Matoran Universe) with his own. Revealing his success to the universe as the Toa Nuva's victory was being celebrated, he trapped Mata Nui's own mind in the Kanohi Ignika, casting it out into space.

The competitors in these matches were tall warriors called Glatorian, and six of these were released as canister sets in early 2009. Each was from a different tribe, including the Sand Tribe of the bestial, nomadic Vorox and the Rock Tribe run by the conquest-driven Skrall. Each Glatorian set featured a Thornax Launcher which fired spiky Thornax fruit, as well as a five-point Life Counter which could be used with the launcher for the BIONICLE Action Figure Game. All 2009 sets besides the promotional set Click were compatible with this game in at least one of its four versions.

The small sets released in early 2009 were six Agori, the villagers of Bara Magna. Two large sets were also released early in the year: Tuma, the Rock Tribe's Skrall leader, and Fero & Skirmix, a Bone Hunter atop his Rock Steed.

For the first half of the year, the story was largely unconnected with the previous BIONICLE story. That changed in the summer when, as depicted in the new movie BIONICLE: The Legend Reborn, the Kanohi Ignika crashed on Bara Magna, carrying Mata Nui's spirit and creating a new body to house it. Mata Nui appeared alongside four Glatorian and the Special-Forces Skrall Stronius as part of the Glatorian Legends canister set series.

The large sets for the second half of the year included the vehicles Cendox V1, Kaxium V3, Baranus V7 (which included a Spikit in addition to its pilot Sahmad), Thornatus V9, and Skopio XV-1. The vehicle sets contained an assortment of Glatorian and Agori pilots. Another large set for the summer, Toa Mata Nui, depicted Mata Nui's new body at a larger scale.

During his time on Bara Magna, Mata Nui learned about his old body's creation on Spherus Magna, helped the peaceful villages unite against the Rock Tribe's threat, and discovered a giant robot which he hoped could help him redeem himself, rescue his people, and complete his original mission.

2010

The last of the Generation 1 sets, the BIONICLE Stars

Worlds collided in 2010 as Mata Nui assumed control of the robot body on Bara Magna, only to be confronted by Teridax's arrival in Mata Nui's former, larger robot body. Heroes and villains from within the Matoran Universe marched onto the sands of Bara Magna for a final battle, as the two giant robots fought above.

The BIONICLE Stars, six small sets, represented heroes and villains from previous years of BIONICLE. Tahu, Takanuva, and the Glatorian Gresh faced off against Rahkshi of Heat Vision, the Skakdi warlord Nektann, and warrior-class Skrall (the latter three marketed as Rahkshi, Piraka, and Skrall, respectively). Each set also came with a Golden Armor piece, which the Tahu set could wear to represent the power that would turn the tide in the coming battle.

However, a press release from LEGO verified a rumor which had spread among concerned BIONICLE fans on the web: the BIONICLE Stars would be the last BIONICLE sets for the "foreseeable future". Although the BIONICLE story would continue online through the year 2011, the sets would be phased out in the summer to allow for a new theme called LEGO Hero Factory, which would carry on BIONICLE's legacy as a constructable action figure line.

2011-2014

Although the actual models were discontinued, the BIONICLE storyline continued with serials periodically released on BIONICLEstory.com. As of June 19, 2013, the updates were halted and both BIONICLE.com and BIONICLEstory.com were shut down. Even though the serials were halted, Greg Farshtey would periodically provide updates, primarily on the LEGO Message Boards, which started from July 2, 2013.

Generation 2

2015

The 2015 Toa Masters

On September 8, 2014, a new image for a BIONICLE product page card featuring an unknown golden mask was discovered on the LEGO.com servers. Eleven days later, on September 19, 2014, LEGO confirmed BIONICLE's return through a video highlighting the aforementioned mask, which was revealed to be the Mask of Creation. A further reveal was then set for the 2014 New York City Comic Con. At the event, LEGO's booth was fully dedicated to BIONICLE, and a special invite-only panel revealed the sets and the new rebooted storyline.

In a rebooted continuity, the new storyline takes place on the mythical island of Okoto, where the forces of darkness are on the move. Six powerful heroes - each Masters of a sacred element - called the Toa are enlisted to help save the island. The Toa must embark on a quest for Okoto’s ancient Masks of Power that will allow them to unlock the full potential of their elemental powers. Having confronted the evil Skull Spiders, they make their way to the City of the Mask Makers and face the Lord of Skull Spiders. They then enter the city in order to find and revive Ekimu, the noble Mask Maker and brother of the evil Makuta, who is the source of the evil that plagues Okoto. Along the way they battle against evil Skull Creatures led by Kulta, who steal the Golden Masks of the Toa in order to claim their power. Eventually they succeed in reviving Ekimu and reunite him with his Mask of Creation.

2016

The Toa face new challenges in their quest to defended Okoto as a mysterious hunter, Umarak, pursues the Elemental Creatures with his Shadow Traps and searches for Makuta's Mask of Control. In order to counter this threat, the Toa must use new Masks of Unity to join together with the Elemental Creatures and unlock new powers.